When Good Ratings Go Bad

I had to rewind the film and watch the section 3 times before I could fully believe what was said. At about the 32 minute mark in Garfield’s Pet Force, a character says “bitch” – and this is a “G” rated film.

 

The plot centers around this scrambler weapon that mixes up people and things (dog and owner, cat and dog, etc.) with the caveat being that whoever gets scrambled becomes obedient to the person wielding the scrambling device. Naturally and evil person takes it – in this case it’s a woman because the person in charge of the weapon is Jon, Garfield’s owner, but this role has him playing a hapless emperor of a lame kingdom. Anyway, this evil woman scrambles up a guy and his bike into two separate weird … things. They wander off, and say “Must … obey … that bitch.”

 

Let me stress again that this is a “G” rated film. It actually passed muster according to the Motion Picture Association of America. The word “bitch” does not belong in a film of this sort.

 

I called the Motion Picture Association of America’s Los Angeles office, reached the complaints department, and relayed the situation. They took my information and said they would follow up with me later in the day.

 

As a general rule, I don’t think that the MPAA is a bad thing. Their guidelines are a bit off, but generally the system works. I am disappointed in the level of graphic violence and gore allowed in “R” rated films as well as what is able to get slipped into a “PG-13” film, but as a parent that is actively involved in what my children see, I’m fairly aware of what is in a film before my kids see it.

 

There is a considerable lack of consistency with what is allowed in a film. If you haven’t seen This Film Is Not Yet Rated then you absolutely need to. It clearly shows just how the MPAA has no real structure and ratings are arbitrarily given. Yes, there are general guidelines, but no clear and definitive lines between what is or isn’t within a particular rating’s parameters. I’m thinking more about “hard R” rated films.

 

http://www.dignews.com/reviews/this-film-is-not-yet-rated-review

 

Scott Young, a senior rater with the MPAA called me a few hours later and we discussed the matter for a few minutes. I described the situation in the film, and he agreed that this wasn’t appropriate for a “G” rated film. He raised the question, however, if the person saying the offending word was possibly referring to a female dog. A valid point, but the character in question is human. Besides, it was said in a derogatory manner, and therefore not appropriate. He promised to track down those that actually reviewed the film for its rating and get back to me with further examination of the issue.

 

I have no idea when I will hear back from the MPAA, but when I do I will let you know what transpires. In the mean time, parents, screen those DVDs for your kids.